Massachusetts Special Elections: What You Need To Know

Your vote matters. Voting in the upcoming special election is not only important because you decide the next mayor, but you also have the power to create and modify laws in our state and city. At IBA, it is our mission to improve our communities through high-quality programs and this starts with the individual. Your vote gives a voice to our community and by exercising your right to vote you are putting our mission into action, you are making the best decisions for you, your family, and our community.

Together, we can make a difference within the streets of our neighborhood, our city, our state, and our country. So we’ve prepared a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs), so when you head to the polls on Tuesday November 7th, you will feel confident making decisions that will build a stronger community – locally and nationwide.

How do I know if I am eligible to vote?

If you are a U.S. Citizen who is 18+ years old by the day of the election (November 7th), then you are eligible to vote. In Massachusetts, as soon as you move to an address within the state, then you are eligible to vote here as a resident of Massachusetts – there is no wait period for how long you must live here in order to register to vote here. The deadline for to register for these elections has passed, but you can check the status of your registration here.

How do I know where to go to vote?

When you receive your voter registration confirmation it will contain the address for your designated Polling Location. Each address is assigned a Ward and Precinct number. Make sure on election day that you remember your Ward and Precinct number as many Polling Locations house more than one precinct and you will need to go to the correct check-in-table for your precinct in order to vote. If you’ve forgotten, you can search for your polling location here.

For residents of our Villa Victoria neighborhood, many of you can come to IBA’s Youth Development space to vote on November 7th. We’re located at 100 West Dedham St. Boston, MA.

What are special elections?

Special elections are conducted to fill vacant seats in government. All of the open spots on tomorrow’s ballot are for municipal (local) government, but your voice is just as necessary for these elections as it is when voting for President. In recent years, Boston’s voter turnout for special elections has been extremely low–the voter turnout for this year’s primary elections was just 14.4%. Political change begins on a local level, which is why it’s important to stay informed and engaged!

Who are the candidates running for mayor?

Marty Walsh is the incumbent candidate running for mayor. His opponent, Tito Jackson, is the current City Councillor for District 7 (Roxbury and parts of Jamaica Plain).

The City Council connects citizens to the local government. They are the legislative body of the city, deciding on local laws on behalf of the constituents (residents) whom they represent. They also respond to citizens’ needs by connecting them to resources and city departments, according to the City of Boston’s website.

Tomorrow, voting will take place for Councillors in District 1 (Charlestown, East Boston, North End), District 2 (Downtown, South Boston, South End), District 7 (Roxbury and parts of JP) and District 9 (Allston, Brighton).

Every vote means something, and making informed decisions about the future of our community is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for younger generations. We hope this article was informative and you feel equipped to vote in the election.

If you still have questions about anything – whether it be about needing more information on the candidates and issues on the ballot or about the logistics of voting – you can reach find your district hotline here or by calling (617) -635 -8683. We’ll see you at the polls tomorrow!